Roll of Wallpaper (Golden Lily) (Primary Title)
Roll of Wallpaper (Former Title)
John Henry Dearle, British, 1860 - 1932 (Designer)
Morris & Company, British (London), 1881–1940 (Manufacturer)
Artist and designer William Morris (1834–1896) founded his manufacturing and retail firm, Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Company, in 1861. Later in 1875 Morris became sole owner of the firm, and its name changed to Morris & Co. The firm’s medieval-inspired aesthetic and respect for handcraftsmanship and traditional textiles had a profound influence on the decoration of churches and houses from the late 19th and early 20th century.
John Dearle joined Morris & Co. in 1878 and was trained by Morris as a tapestry weaver. In addition to tapestries, Dearle designed both printed and woven textiles, embroidery, carpets, and wallpaper. He went on to become the firm’s chief textile designer, rising to manager in 1896 following Morris’s death.
This wallpaper’s design, which shows lilies intertwined with various wildflowers, is one of numerous repeating patterns available during Morris' lifetime as both block-printed wallpapers and fabrics. The design was available in a range of colors and, like many of Morris's patterns, is still produced today.
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